The Chargers need a solution at backup QB. Discover if a promising college prospect, a seasoned veteran, or a system fit is the smartest gamble.
It's not fun to say it, but facts are facts. There is no more important position on a football team than the quarterback position.
There are two ways to view the QB position when it comes to NFL roster-building:
- Pour every dollar you can into the starting QB, understanding that your team is screwed either way if the starter picks up a serious injury. Use the backup QB spot on a player that's great in the film room or has potential trade value.
- Have a promising enough QB in the backup position that the team could potentially survive a major injury to the starter.
The Los Angeles Chargers have mostly gone with choice #1 over the last few years (and maybe even before that, depending on how you feel about Chase Daniel). Last season, that meant the only option the team had beyond letting Justin Herbert play with a broken hand was Trey Lance, who has proven multiple times that he's not able to be an NFL-caliber decision maker.
Lance is an unrestricted free agent and I would be surprised if the Chargers brought him back, mostly because I think whatever potential trade value he had is gone, so I wanted to look at what their other options are.
Option #1: DJ Uiagalelei
This one feels like a longshot, despite Uiagalelei's once-impressive promise and pedigree. After a terrible season with Florida State in 2024, the Chargers signed him as an undrafted free agent. He bounced back and forth on the practice squad last year.
I suppose this would be the cheapest option if the Chargers are intent on giving up if Herbert gets seriously injured, so it can't be rejected out of hand, but this would arguably be a downgrade from Trey Lance.
Option #2: Free agent market
The NFL free agent market is just loaded with quarterbacks, assuming you're not looking for a starter.
There's a whole range of guys from "Should never be on an NFL field" all the way up to "Some fans are going to think he should be starting but they'll be wrong."
I think the Chargers could find a veteran with a pretty great resume for not a lot of money. Someone like Joe Flacco or Tyrod Taylor.
What's maybe more likely is bringing in someone who understands Mike McDaniel's offensive system, which will make them a valuable resource to Justin Herbert and the rest of the offense without needing to play. Both Zach Wilson (Dolphins backup in 2025) and Skylar Thompson (Dolphins backup in 2024) are unrestricted free agents and could likely be signed for a song.
Option #3: 2026 NFL Draft
I originally thought this option actually was the longest shot but I think I'm coming around on it.
I'm sure the Chargers could use their final pick (as of right now, pick #202 overall) on a college QB like Carson Beck out of Miami. They could groom him to be a backup QB that's ready to come in if the worst happens and can develop into a trade chip if it doesn't.
That doesn't put the team in a better position than it was in during 2025, but it's not a worse position and it has the advantage of being both cheaper and more promising.